Photos: Looking back at eight decades of National Christmas Trees

The lighting of the National Christmas Tree is an unbroken tradition which begun in 1923, when President Calvin Coolidge lit the first tree in the President's Park on behalf of all Americans. While the Associated Press archives don't have photos of every tree lighting back to 1923, here's a look back at various lighting ceremonies going back Herbert Hoover in 1931.

HERBERT HOOVER FAMILY 1931

U.S. President Herbert Hoover, third from left, poses with his family at the Washington community Christmas tree after lighting the tree on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, 1931. From left to right are, Allan Hoover, son; first lady Lou Henry Hoover; the President; daughter-in-law Margaret Hoover and her husband, Herbert Hoover Jr., and Colonel James A. Ulio, aid to the president. The grandchildren are Herbert III, known as Pete, left, and Peggy Ann, holding the president's hand. (AP Photo)

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Franklin D. Roosevelt

President Franklin Roosevelt is shown above pressing the button lighting the national Christmas tree in Washington, D.C. on Dec. 24, 1939 on the windswept parkway south of the White House. On right is Franklin Roosevelt, Jr. three women on left are (left to right) Mrs. Franklin Roosevelt, Jr.; Mrs. John Boettiger and the President's mother, Mrs. Sara Roosevelt. Immediately behind the President is Rep. Jennings Randolph (D-W. Va.). (AP Photo)

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Christmas Trees White House 1940

Starred with many lights is this national Christmas tree which was set a twinkling on the White House grounds at ceremonies in Washington on Dec. 24, 1940 in which F.D.R. shared. The President, standing in a platform at the right, touched a button lighting the tree and then broadcast his Christmas wishes to the nation. (AP Photo)

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Truman Christmas Address 1949

President Harry S. Truman, seated in front of a bookcase at his home in Independence, Mo., pushes a button which lit the nation's Christmas tree on the south lawn of the White House, Washington, Dec. 24, 1949. Tree lighting came during the president's annual Christmas talk to the nation. The text of his radio speech is in the notebook in front of him. (AP Photo/Henry Griffin)

Dwight Eisenhower

President Eisenhower, right, faces the National Christmas Tree as he lighted it in Washington formally opening the annual Christmas Pageant of Peace on Dec. 23, 1960. The tree is erected in the Ellipse, a park just south of the White House. (AP Photo)

Anonymous

Jimmy Carter, Amy Carter

Amy Carter stands with President Jimmy Carter on a stage at the Ellipse in Washington Thursday, Dec. 16, 1977, after he pushed a button illuminating the National Christmas Tree, background. The tree lighting marks the official opening of the 1977 Pageant of Peace. (AP Photo)

Anonymous

Jimmy Carter, Amy Carter

The National Christmas Tree is shown being lighted by President Jimmy Carter and daughter Amy on the Ellipse in Washington on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 1978. The White House is shown in the background along with a large crowd of people who came to witness the ceremony. The first tree to be lit by a President was in 1923 by Calvin Coolidge. (AP Photo/ Mark Wilson)

Mark Wilson

Jimmy Carter, Amy Carter, Rosalynn Carter

President Jimmy Carter, along with his wife Rosalynn and daughter Amy take part in the annual National Christmas Pageant of Peace and Tree Lighting on the Ellipse in Washington on Dec. 13, 1979. Instead of pressing the switch to light the whole tree, as in years past, the Carters turned on lights on 50 small trees in honor of the American hostages in Iran, and one small star on top of the large tree, reserving the lighting of the rest of that Tree until these hostages are released. (AP Photo)

Anonymous

Barbara Bush National Christmas Tree

Mrs. Barbara Bush, wife of Vice President George Bush helps with the topping of the National Christmas Tree at the White House, Thursday, Dec. 2, 1982 in Washington. Joseph Riley, president of the Christmas Pageant of Peace, assists with large ornament. (AP Photo/Scott Applewhite)

Scott Applewhite

White House Christmas Vignettes

FILE - In this Nov. 28, 1984, first lady Barbara Bush, assisted by Joseph Riley, president of the Christmas Pageant of Peace committee, places the top ornament on the national Christmas tree on the Ellipse near the White House. (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)

Ron Edmonds

Ronald Reagan and Nancy Reagan

First lady Nancy Reagan listens as President Reagan speaks before lighting the National Christmas Tree at a White House ceremony on Thursday, Dec. 15, 1988 in Washington . This is the last White House Christmas for the Reagans. (AP Photo/Marcy NIghswander)

Marcy Nighswander

National Christmas Tree

First Lady Barbara Bush and granddaughter Marshall Bush join Joseph Riley as they place the main ornament atop the National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse in Washington Monday, Nov. 27, 1989 in Washington. Mrs. Bush have participated in the topping of the tree every year since 1981, but this was the first time a first lady has ever participated in the event. Riley is president of the Christmas Pageant of Peace Inc. (AP Photo/John Duricka)

John Duricka

National Christmas Tree

First lady Barbara Bush with the assistance of her grandchildren, Sam and Ellie LeBlond top the National Christmas Tree with a star on Friday, Nov. 30, 1990 on the Ellipse in Washington. The tree, part of the 1990 Pageant of Peace, will be lit by President and Mrs. Bush on Thursday Dec. 13, 1990. A hydraulic lift was used to reach the top of the tree. (AP Photo/Barry Thumma)

Barry Thumma

National Christmas Tree

First Lady Barbara Bush, with assistance from her grandchildren Lauren, left, and Pierce Bush, place the main ornament on the top of the National Christmas Tree on Monday, Nov. 25, 1991 in Washington. At right is Joseph Riley, President of the Christmas pageant of Peace Committee.(AP Photo/Marcy Nighswander)

Marcy Nighswander

Barbara Bush National Christmas Tree

First lady Barbara Bush holds grandson Walker Bush, 3, as she and Joe Riley, president of the Christmas Pageant of Peace, Inc., place a star on top of the National Christmas Tree, Tuesday, Dec. 1, 1992 in Washington. The tree, a living 38-foot-tall Colorado Blue Spruce, will be lit on Thursday, December 10 by President Bush. (AP Photo/Doug Mills)

Doug Mills

Bush

President George Bush secures the coat of his granddaughter Marshall Bush during a windy and rainy lighting ceremony for the National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse in Washington, Dec. 10, 1992. In opening the 1992 Pageant of Peace, Bush dedicated the tree to the children of America and asked the public to remember the children of Somalia. First lady Barbara Bush is behind. (AP Photo/Dennis Cook)

Dennis Cook

Bill Clinton Christmas 1993

President Bill Clinton and first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, along with daughter Chelsea, join the choir during ceremonies to light the National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse in Washington, Dec. 9, 1993. (AP Photo/Joe Marquette)

Joe Marquette

Hillary Clinton

First lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, with the help of John Betchkal, president of the Christmas Pageant of Peace, places a stained glass ornament atop the National Christmas tree in Washington, Nov. 28, 1994. The first lady took a hydraulic lift to the top of the tree, which President Clinton is expected to light up during the 1994 Pageant of Peace on December 7. (AP Photo/Doug Mills)

BUDGET SHUTDOWN

Tourists look at the national Christmas tree from behind locked gates Saturday Dec. 16, 1995 in Washington after the display was closed due to a federal budget shutdown. Parts of the federal government were ordered shut down today as President Clinton blamed the Republican Congress for attempting to force unacceptable cuts in programs affecting the lives of children, the elderly and the poor. (AP Photo/Mark Wilson)

MARK WILSON

CLINTON

First lady Hillary Rodham Clinton walks along side a horse-drawn wagon at the White House Wednesday Nov. 27, 1996 carrying the White House Christmas tree. The National Christmas Tree Association presented Mrs. Clinton with the tree, an 18 1/2-foot Colorado Blue Spruce, grown in Coshocton, Ohio, which will grace the White House Blue Room during the Christmas season. (AP Photo/Doug Mills)

DOUG MILLS

GORE BETCHKAL

With the White House in the background, Tipper Gore, wife of Vice President Gore, accompanied by John Betchkal, president of the Christmas Pageant of Peace, waves after placing a star on top of the National Christmas Tree Monday, Nov. 25, 1996, on the Ellipse in Washington. President Clinton will officially light the tree on Dec. 5. (AP Photo/Ruth Fremson, Pool)

RUTH FREMSON

CHRISTMAS TREE

With the White House in the background, the National Christmas Tree sits aglow on the Ellipse in Washignton Thursday, Dec. 5, 1996, after President Clinton, along with Washignton area children, officially lit the tree during the 1996 Pageant of Peace. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

WILFREDO LEE

CHRISTMAS TREE

The National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse is official lighted in Washington DC. Wednesday, Dec. 10, 1998. The Colorado Blue Spruce tree stands over 40 feet tall and has over 130,000 lights. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

NATIONAL CHRISTMAS TREE

The National Christmas Tree is lit up, opening the annual Christmas Pageant of Peace Thursday, Dec 4, 2003 in Washington. The tree is a live 40-foot Colorado blue spruce transplanted from York, Penn to its present location on the Ellipse in Washington in 1978. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

MANUEL BALCE CENETA

BUSH

President Bush laughs as he joins performers in singing Christmas carols during the lighting ceremony of the National Christmas Tree, opening the annual Christmas Pageant of Peace Thursday, Dec 4, 2003 in Washington. The tree is a live 40-foot Colorado blue spruce transplanted from York, Penn to its present location on the Ellipse in Washington in 1978. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

MANUEL BALCE CENETA

CHENEY PERRY NOSTRAND

Lynne Cheney, center, wife of Vice President Dick Cheney, waves with Peter Nostrand, president of Christmas Pageant of Peace, Inc., right, and her grandchildren, from left to right: Elizabeth Perry, 7; Grace Perry, 4; Kate Perry, 10; after they placed the star on the 2004 National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse between the White House and the Washington Monument Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2004, in Washington. The official lighting of the 40-foot National Christmas Tree will take place on Dec. 2. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

CHARLES DHARAPAK

BUSH NATIONAL CHRISTMAS TREE

Final preparations are made for the National Christmas Tree and the grounds of the Elipse near the White House for the Pageant of Peace and the lighting of the tree by President Bush and first lady Laura Bush, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2005, in Washington. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

PABLO MARTINEZ MONSIVAIS

George W. Bush, Laura Bush

President Bush and first lady Laura Bush arrive for the lighting of the National Christmas Tree and the Pageant of Peace on The Ellipse near the White House in Washington, Thursday, Dec. 6, 2007. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

J. Scott Applewhite

George W Bush, Laura Bush

President Bush, center, and first lady Laura Bush, right, join performers in singing Christmas carols during the National Christmas Tree lighting ceremony at the Ellipse, Thursday, Dec. 7, 2006, in Washington. The lighting of the National Christmas Tree is an unbroken tradition which begun in 1923, when President Calvin Coolidge lit the first tree in the President's Park on behalf of all Americans. Performers are B.J. Thomas, left, Eartha Kitt, Cathy Rigby. Brad Oscar isdressed as Santa Claus. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

MANUEL BALCE CENETA

National Christmas Tree

FILE- This Dec. 4, 2008 file photo shows the National Christmas Tree, near the White House in Washington, illuminated during a ceremony attended by President George W. Bush and first lady Laura Bush. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite,File)

J. Scott Applewhite

Michelle Obama

First lady Michelle Obama reads a story to children as she participates in the National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony with President Barack Obama, not pictured, in Washington, Thursday, Dec. 3, 2009. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

Charles Dharapak

Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, Malia Obama, Sasha Obama

The National Christmas Tree is pictured after it was lit by President Barack Obama, first lady Michelle Obama, and daughters Malia and Sasha Obama at the Ellipse across from the White House in Washington, Thursday, Dec. 9, 2010. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

President Barack Obama, first lady Michelle Obama, daughters Malia and Sasha Obama, and mother-in-law Marian Robinson arrive for the lighting of the National Christmas Tree at the Ellipse across from the White House in Washington, Thursday, Dec. 9, 2010. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

Charles Dharapak

Obama National Christmas Tree

The National Christmas Tree is pictured with the White House in the background after it was lit on the Ellipse across from the White House in Washington, Thursday, Dec., 1, 2011. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

Pablo Martinez Monsivais

Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, Malia Obama, Sasha Obama,

President Barack Obama, first lady Michelle Obama and their daughters Sasha and Malia, left, sing along with performers during the annual National Christmas Tree Lighting on the Ellipse, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2011, Washington. (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari)

Abby Cadabby, Michelle Obama

First lady Michelle Obama reads “Twas The Night Before Christmas” with muppet Abby Cadabby to children on stage during the 2013 National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony at the Ellipse near teh White House in Washington, Friday, Dec. 6, 2013. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Carolyn Kaster

Obama National Christmas Tree

The National Christmas Tree with the White House in the background as seen from the Ellipse after President Barack Obama, first lady Michelle Obama, daughters Sasha and Malia, and mother-in-law Marian Robinson lit the tree at the National Christmas Tree lighting ceremony across from the White House in Washington, Friday, Dec. 6, 2013. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

Charles Dharapak

Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, Sasha Obama, Malia Obama

President Barack Obama and the first family stands, right, after lighting the 2014 National Christmas Tree during the National Christmas Tree lighting ceremony at the Ellipse near the White House in Washington, Thursday, Dec. 4, 2014. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Carolyn Kaster

Washington Daily Life

As the Washington Monument is seen at left, Hargrove technicians install lights on the National Christmas Tree, a large evergreen tree in the northeast quadrant of The Ellipse near the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2015. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Carolyn Kaster

Michelle Obama, Marian Robinson,

First lady Michelle Obama, far right, waves as she and her mother Marian Robinson walk off stage during the National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony at the Ellipse in Washington, Thursday, Dec. 3, 2015. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

Pablo Martinez Monsivais

Michelle Obama, Miss Piggy

First lady Michelle Obama and Miss Piggy read "The Night Before Christmas" to children on stage during the National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony at the Ellipse in Washington, Thursday, Dec. 3, 2015. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Obama Christmas Tree

President Barack Obama, first lady Michelle Obama and their daughter Sasha waves and applaud after lighting the 2016 National Christmas Tree at the Ellipse near the White House in Washington, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016. Also on stage is the host Eva Longoria. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

Pablo Martinez Monsivais

Obama National Christmas Tree

President Barack Obama, sings "Jingle Bells," with Santa Claus, James Taylor, Eva Longoria, and Garth Brooks during the lighting ceremony for the 2016 National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse near the White House, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016 in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Alex Brandon

Trump Christmas Tree

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump, cheer after lighting the 2017 National Christmas Tree during the National Christmas Tree lighting ceremony at the Ellipse near the White House in Washington, Thursday, Nov. 30, 2017. With the president and the first lady are hosts for the event, Kathie Lee Gifford and actor Dean Cain. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Manuel Balce Ceneta

Trump Christmas Tree

The 2017 National Christmas Tree is lit on the Ellipse with the White House in the background Thursday, Nov. 30, 2017, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

Andrew Harnik

Trump Christmas Tree

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump wave after lighting the National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse near the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2018. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

Susan Walsh

Trump Christmas Tree

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump light the National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse near the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2018. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

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